State Swimming preview...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

Well, tomorrow is Day 1 of the state swimming championships at the Aquatic Center at Oklahoma City Community College.

Notice the new start time of 11 a.m. to accommodate the fact there is now a Class 5A and 6A.

Won’t matter Friday as both classes will compete at the same time, but it will matter Saturday where 5A will swim first and then 6A.

Friday’s paper will have the preview, but there are some things that are not fit to print. In other words, I like to ramble on and on and the blog is the best place to do it

Boys

I can’t see anyone challenging Jenks. The biggest obstacle the Trojans faced was in the summer with the issues with coach John Turner. Those are long gone, and Jenks should claim yet another title.

Looking forward to seeing Stillwater’s Alex Barto again. I only get to see him at the state tournament, but he made quite the impression last year.

I do believe Norman North has two of the best boys in the entire state in sophomore Wilson Wei and senior Ian McKenzie. With that said, don’t think the Timberwolves will be fighting for anything better than third though both could win some individual titles.

Westmoore won’t make a dent in the team race, but Dakota Wheeler has a strong chance at earning a couple of individual crowns. His qualifying times in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke are easily some of the best.

Interesting to see what happens with the Edmond teams. Both Memorial and North have solid swimmers with EM led by Daniel Enge and EN by Ryan Adams. But again, see them fighting for third, at best.

The birth of 5A will actually lead to a great race. No clear-cut favorite but Heritage Hall, Harrah, Fort Gibson and Bixby all have legit shots. And could be a dark horse or two with Chickasha and Altus, especially if Isaac McKnight dominates his events for the Chicks.